Supertram bosses offered string of solutions for Sheffield tram route closed by mineshaft

Supertram bosses have been offered a string of solutions after a Sheffield tram route was closed indefinitely after a mineshaft was discovered.

Readers, some apparently with experience, have proposed filling or covering an old mineshaft which appeared under tracks on the Blue Line at Birley Lane.

The route has been closed for more than two months, since August 23, affecting tens of thousands of shoppers, commuters and traders.

South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) which owns Supertram, says further drilling is necessary before a structure can be built to support tram tracks.

And there is no reopening date for now.

On the Star’s Facebook page, several readers proposed fixes to get trams running again quickly.

John Simmerson said: “If this had been in Japan the tram network would have been running again within 48 hours.”

Shaun Manwithvan said: “Big steel plate over it then pin and concrete round the plate, simples.”

Conrad Shaw suggested similar: “Get some steel beams in it, then a steel plate and cover it - job done.”

Paul Whitham was even more helpful: “Just go to some steelworks get a big sheet of steel about three-inch thick and lay it over the top of the hole. Cover it with a foot of reinforced concrete.”

Peter Walker had similar ideas: “Can't they dig 10ft either side then lay steel plate over hole then concrete?”

Paul Avsie reflected on the costs of closure: “Just cap with a big reinforced concrete slab, it really isn't that much of a problem and doesn't need to cost millions or weeks, even months, of faffing around.”

Robert Cartwright referred to the region’s coal mining history.

“When the Coal Board filled in the mineshaft at Waleswood Colliery that had been covered with a concrete slab since the 1930s, they set up a conveyor that poured pebbles down the shaft for days then the last 10 or 20 feet was filled with concrete, the shaft look very similar to this,” he said.

Allan Tideswell had similar thoughts: “Surely they are in contact with the Coal Authority, who have the knowledge of filling ex-mine shafts?”

Maria Davies had a completely different idea. The Blue Line has two tracks where the hole is.

“Why can’t trams run on the other track?” he asked, before adding: “Put a junction in on either side to divert the tram back on to dual track. This could be a semi-permanent solution while they faff around what to do.”

Last week SYMCA said the hole could be 180ft deep - big enough to swallow Nelson’s Column.

Many readers found it incredible that it was missed when the tracks were laid in the 1990s.

Jane Wasteney said: “They must've known it was there when they built it, it’s in the old plans.”

Sandra Hibberd: “Records show it’s a mine shaft then. So why wasn’t it picked up on surveys?”

Andy Fletcher thought he knew why: “Not shown in the most recent OS maps. Only stuff from a century ago which they didn’t use.”

Many readers saw the funny side.

Shaun Butler: “Just cover it with a big brown envelope, happy days.”

Stuart Travis: “And they’re talking about building a tunnel to Manchester…”

Andrew Sheldon: “Open it up to the fly tippers it will be full in an hour.”

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